In addition, over 140 people were wounded among them both security personnel and civilians, the Thai News Agency (TNA) quoted the service center as saying.

The injured persons were sent for treatment at 20 hospitals across Bangkok.

The latest development in Bangkok has followed an announcement by the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), which said on May 14 that it will keep pressure on the "red- shirt" protesters to end their prolonged rally.

The troops started to seal off the "red-shirts" fortified encampment late on May 13, prompting violent clashes in which Khattiya Sawasdipol, chief military adviser to the protesters, was admitted to hospital after being shot in the head.

The anti-government "red-shirts" rally in central Bangkok began on March 12 using the Rathchaprason Intersection in central Bangkok is the main rally site.